Module Details

Module Code: SCIE C1503
Module Title: Material Science and Soil Mechanics
Title: Material Science and Soil Mechanics
Module Level:: 6
Credits:: 10
Module Coordinator: Eoin Homan
Module Author:: Shane Murray
Domains:  
Module Description: The aims of the Material Science portion of this module are:
(1) to prepare students for participation in the quality control of materials used in the construction of civil engineering projects;
(2) to give students a basis for further study of materials.

The aims of the Soil Mechanics portion of this module are:
(1) to provide students with a sound knowledge of the fundamentals of soil mechanics laboratory testing, as a basis for further studies in the area of geotechnical engineering;
(2) to provide students with the technical ability to participate in quality control in earthworks and other associated areas.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 describe & examine the: - (a) source and origin of various engineering materials including aggregates, timber, metals and cement; (b) physical properties associated with aggregates, cement, timber, metals and fresh and hardened concrete; (c) principles of sustainability; (d) impact that sustainability, carbon footprint and circular economy has on our choice of materials;
LO2 demonstrate an awareness of: - (a) manufacturing technologies associated with aggregates, cement, concrete, timber and metals; (b) various engineering products available including admixtures etc.
LO3 demonstrate a knowledge of quality assurance of materials.
LO4 demonstrate the skills developed in: - (a) taking and preparation of laboratory samples; (b) laboratory analysis for engineering properties of materials in accordance with codes of practice including the use of specifically designed engineering testing apparatus; (c) analysing laboratory data in accordance with codes of practice and checking conformity of laboratory results with specifications; (d) understanding the significance of accurate sampling and testing and its relevance to the overall performance of materials in construction; (e) the preparation of laboratory reports; (f) taking a soil classification tests and have a basic knowledge of technical report writing;
LO5 Evaluate exacvated soil to improve project sustainability in accordance with the BS/Eurocode 7 Classification Systems, having a basic knowledge of technical report writing and appreciation of the the importance of moisture content
LO6 Undertake Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment for a variety of design and construction activities so as comply with the competencies required by the QQI Manual Handling and Ergonomic Certificate and demonstrate a knowledge of the requirements, duties, responsibilities and competencies associated with SAFE PASS
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
No recommendations listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Additional Requisite Information
No Co Requisites listed
 
Indicative Content
(1) Sustainability
(a) Principles of Sustainability (b) Carbon Footprint, CO2 emissions, Kyoto Protocol, embodied carbon (c) Life Cycle/Circular Economy, Construction Waste
(2) Aggregates
(a) Origin and geological classification of rock. (b) Sources of aggregates. (c) Sampling of aggregates. (i) Sampling (ii) Riffling (iii) Quartering (d) Physical properties and classification of aggregates. (i) Particle size analysis (ii) Fines Content (iii) Flakiness Index Test (iv) Moisture Content (e) Typical Laboratory Experiments Aggregates (i) Sampling (ii) Quartering & Riffling (iii) Particle size analysis (iv) Fines Content Test (v) Flakiness Index Test (vi) Moisture Content
(3) Cement
(a) Composition, types and manufacturing process (b) Setting times (c) Soundness (d) Strength
(4) Concrete
(a) Constituents and mix design (b) Basic Properties of fresh concrete (c) Basic Properties of hardened concrete (d) Typical Laboratory Experiments Concrete (i) Workability – Slump Test (ii) Making Cubes (iii) Curing Cubes (iv) Demoulding Cubes (v) Measuring Cubes (vi) Crushing Cubes
(5) Timber
(a) Growth and structure of trees (b) Classification of wood (c) Moisture content and seasoning (d) Natural and handling defects (e) Insect and fungal attack (f) Preservation (g) Stress grading (h) Timber products (i) Typical Laboratory Experiments Timber (i) Physical identification and examination of natural wood samples (ii) Physical identification and examination of manufactured board samples (iii) Microscopic examination of hardwood and softwood (slides) structure that is radial, tangential and longitudinal sawn cuts (iv) Moisture content measurement by both Oven and Meter testing (v) Physical examination of defects and deterioration in timber samples (vi) Physical examination and measurement of Knot / Area ratio on timber samples (vii) Physical examination of both Pressure and Brush applied preservative treatments to timber samples
(6) Metals
(a) Ferrous/non–ferrous (b) Processes, treatments (c) Properties and use (d) Typical Laboratory Experiments (i) Physical identification and examination of various metal samples (ii) Microscopic examination of structure of various metal samples (iii) Metals material testing for Stress and Strain and Hardness tests
(7) Introduction To Soils Technology
(a) Geological formation of soil and rock - Rock cycle. (b) Clay and silt minerals.
(8) Site Investigation
(a) Aims and objectives (b) Desk study (c) Site reconnaissance (d) Ground investigation
(9) Classification Of Soils
(a) Moisture content (b) Atterberg limits (c) Particle size analysis - wet sieve analysis (d) Particle size analysis - sedimentation (e) Particle density
(10) Strength Of Soil
(a) Shear strength theory (b) Direct shear test - shear box (c) Field testing - vane test (d) California Bearing Ratio
(11) Compaction Of Soil
(a) Optimum Moisture Content (b) Dry density / moisture content test (c) Measurement of in-situ density
(5) Sustainability and Re-use of Soil
Optimum Moisture Content (b) Dry density / moisture content test (c) Measurement of in-situ density (D) Converting waste soil and rock into engineered material to increase project sustainability
Typical Soil Mechanics Laboratory Experiments
(a) Soil sampling & sub-sampling (b) Classification of a soil (c) Measurement of Optimum Moisture Content (d) Measurement of California Bearing Ratio (e) Measurement of shear strength parameters using shear box (f) Measurement of shear strength parameters using triaxial apparatus.
Self-Assessment
Students assess their own H&S analysis
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Continuous Assessment80.00%
End of Module Formal Examination20.00%

Assessments

Full Time

Continuous Assessment
Assessment Type Other % of Total Mark 80
Timing n/a Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5,6
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
In class exams, practicals
No Project
No Practical
End of Module Formal Examination
Assessment Type Formal Exam % of Total Mark 20
Timing End-of-Semester Learning Outcomes 5,6
Non-marked No
Assessment Description
n/a
Reassessment Requirement
Repeat examination
Reassessment of this module will consist of a repeat examination. It is possible that there will also be a requirement to be reassessed in a coursework element.
Reassessment Description
Repeat Exam &/or CA reassessment, as appropriate. Students must have attained a minimum of 35% in their CA work in this module throughout the year to be deemed to have met the requirements for a repeat opportunity.

SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Workload Category Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 4.00 48
Laboratory Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 6.00 72
Estimated Learner Hours Non Contact No Description 12 Weeks per Stage 13.00 156
Total Weekly Contact Hours 10.00
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Alan Everett. Materials, Longman Scientific & Technical, [ISBN: 058221923X].
  • Ian Smith. (2014), Smith's Elements of Soil Mechanics, 9th. John Wiley & Sons, p.488, [ISBN: 9780470673393].
  • Peter L. Berry,David Reid. (1987), An Introduction to Soil Mechanics, McGraw-Hill Book Company Limited, p.317, [ISBN: 9780070841642].
  • DAVID. NORBURY. Soil and Rock Description in Engineering Practice, 3rd. [ISBN: 9781849954730].
Supplementary Book Resources
  • NSAI. IS EN 932 – Tests for General Properties of Aggregates, ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. IS EN 933, Tests for geometrical properties of Aggregates , ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. IS EN 1097, Tests for mechanical and physical properties of Aggregates , ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. IS EN 1367, Tests for thermal and weathering properties of Aggregates , ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. IS EN 1744, Tests for chemical properties of Aggregates , ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. IS EN 12620, Aggregates for Concrete , ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. IS EN 13179, Tests for filler aggregate used in bituminous mixtures , ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. IS EN 196 Methods of Testing Cement , ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. IS EN 197 – Cement, Compositions, Specifications and Conformity Criteria , ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. IS EN 206, Concrete. Specification, performance, production and conformity , ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. IS EN 934, Admixtures for concrete, mortar and grout , ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. IS EN 12350, Testing fresh concrete , ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. IS EN 12390, Testing hardened concrete , ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. IS EN 12504, Testing concrete in structures , ALL PARTS.
  • NSAI. Eurocode 7 Parts 1 & 2.
  • BSI. BS 1377. Parts 1-9.
  • BSI. BS 5930. Code of Practice for Ground Investigation.
  • TII. Design Manual for Roads and Bridges.
This module does not have any article/paper resources
Other Resources
Discussion Note: